Insulated tarpaulin

ABSTRACT

The present invention regards an insulated tarpaulin and method for producing same insulated tarpaulin consisting of at least two layers of fabric further characterized by that at least a first layer of fabric has means for securing at least one piece of insulation to it and a second layer of fabric connected to said first layer of fabric and at least one valve attached to said tarpaulin.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention regards an insulated tarpaulin, a method for producing the same and more particularly an insulated tarpaulin used for covering a temporary protective shelter and a method for attaching the insulation to the tarpaulin.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective shelters are used all over the world for a multitude of different reasons, ranging from temporary shelters for people affected by natural disasters, to temporary structures on construction sites, space for storage or even for halls for practising different types of sports.

Benefits of using these constructions are that they are easy and quick to erect and cheaper than a more permanent building and also fast and easy to take down again.

However, there are certain problems with using such temporary structures. A problem is controlling the temperature and climate inside the structure.

Since most of these buildings are not insulated they are very exposed to temperatures in both warm and cold climates. They can be very cold in sub-zero conditions, and they can be very hot and humid in warm climates.

A way of solving this problem is to insulate the tarpaulin. There have been several attempts at this. One is using air trapped in compartments as insulation between two layers of skin.

Further there has been made attempts to solve the problem by using pockets between an inner and an outer skin that can be filled with insulation.

All these solutions have problems.

Patent NO 333247 describes a method for insulating a tarpaulin. In this solution the tarpaulin comprises a first and a second fabric wherein at least a piece of insulation is attached to the first fabric with either a strip with hook and loop fasteners, rope or similar that is attached to the first fabric and through the insulation. A problem with this solution is that the insulation can slide, shift and start to sag if it is not enough strips with hook and loop fasteners. Norwegian patent NO 315752 gives a solution that makes it possible to fill insulation in pockets in situ which makes it easier to transport since it is possible to transport the skin and the insulation separately.

A problem with this solution is that these halls are usually very large and the tarpaulin is draped over a large framework. So putting in insulation in situ is not an easy task. Further it is not an advantage to have openings in the tarpaulin since moisture can get trapped between the layers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention as stated in the set of claims is to solve the problems mentioned above.

The present invention comprises an insulated tarpaulin. The insulated tarpaulin comprises a first and a second layer of fabric. In between these layers of fabric there is placed insulation.

In order for the insulation to stay in place between the first and the second layer of fabric, the insulation is fastened by at least two different fastening methods to one or both of the layers of fabric.

The first and the second layer of fabric are sealed together around the edges and at least one valve is installed in order to regulate the air, or another type of gas in and out of the tarpaulin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the first layer of fabric.

FIG. 2 is a cross section an embodiment of the tarpaulin comprising a first and a second layer of fabric with insulation between.

FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention as it looks fully mounted on the framework.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top view of an embodiment of the first layer of fabric 1. The first layer of fabric 1 is preferably both air- and water proof. Attached to the first layer of fabric is at least one piece of insulation. The piece of insulation is attached to the first layer of fabric with at least one fastening method.

A preferred method of fastening the insulation is attaching at least one strap to the first layer of fabric. The strap is attached at the middle to the first layer of fabric. Both ends of the strap are unattached from the first layer of fabric. There is cut two slits in the insulation corresponding to the ends of the strap. Each end of the strap is passed through their corresponding slit. The two ends of the strap is attached to each other preferably by hook and loop fasteners.

The straps are placed over the entire area of the first layer of fabric. The amount of straps varies by the size of the piece of insulation. The spacing depends on the size of the insulation, not only the width and the length, but also the thickness.

All kinds of insulation can be used, but the preferred insulation is made out of recycled plastic. The reason for this is in case of fire it melts and lets gasses out instead of keeping them inside the protective shelter, and this type of insulation doesn't absorb moisture.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of an embodiment of the tarpaulin comprising a first and a second layer of fabric with insulation between. The insulation is attached to the first layer of fabric. Straps 3 secure the insulation to the first layer of fabric. Additionally the insulation can be fixed to the first layer of fabric by the use of e.g. glue. Glue can be placed on the entire surface of the insulation facing the first layer of fabric. Alternatively the glue can be on the side of the insulation facing the second layer of fabric. The insulation can have a reflective layer attached to one side, preferably the side facing the outside of the tarpaulin. Alternatively the reflective layer can be attached to the layer of fabric facing the outside of the tarpaulin.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a complete embodiment of a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin comprises a first layer of fabric. A second layer of fabric is attached to the first layer of fabric. The two layers can preferably be welded together. The two layers are preferably joined together in an airtight manner. There is further attached at least one valve to one layer of the fabric. This valve can be opened and shut, allowing a gas to be let in or out of the tarpaulin. The gas can be e.g. air, or an inert type of gas. Trapping the gas between the two layers of fabric increases the insulating effect of the tarpaulin.

The valve must be large enough to allow a machine to be attached in order to suck or blow the gas in or out of the tarpaulin.

Further there are attached e.g. eyelets to the tarpaulin. The eyelets are spaced apart around the edge of the tarpaulin. These eyelets help in tightening the piece of tarpaulin to the framework or to each other.

FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of the present invention as it looks fully mounted on the framework. In connection to the tarpaulin there is mounted a mantle or a skirt, 10, to hinder mud, dirt or water to enter the protective shelter from the outside. The mantle, or skirt, 10, is mounted to the tarpaulin, preferably by welding it on to the outer layer of fabric, 6. The skirts, 10, can e.g. be insulated with the same insulation thickness as the rest of the tarpaulin, 1, but are made up of only one row of insulation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Insulated tarpaulin comprising at least two layers of fabric and at least one piece of insulation, wherein the insulation is attached to one or both of the layers of fabric with at least two fastening means, said first and a second layer of fabric are welded together around the edges, and at least one valve is attached to said tarpaulin.
 2. Insulated tarpaulin as described in claim 1 is further characterized by that said means for securing at least one piece of insulation to at least a first layer of fabric consists of at least a pair of straps.
 3. Insulated tarpaulin as described in claim 1 is further characterized by that said means for securing at least one piece of insulation to said at least a first layer of fabric can be hook- and loop fasteners, buttons, glue or rope.
 4. Method for insulating a tarpaulin comprising at least two layers of fabric and at least one piece of insulation, wherein said insulation has at least two perforations, through which a pair of straps, connected to said first layer of fabric, are guided and connected to each other, a second layer of fabric is further connected to said first layer of fabric.
 5. Method for insulating a tarpaulin as described in claim 4 wherein said first layer of fabric can be attached to said second layer of fabric by using a bonnet/eyelet, zipper, Velcro, welding or gluing.
 6. Method for insulating a tarpaulin as described in claim 4 wherein said second layer of fabric is attached to said at least first layer of fabric by either gluing or welding.
 7. Method for insulating a tarpaulin as described in claim 4 wherein a valve is placed in said tarpaulin for letting a gas in or out. 